Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Southeast Alabama
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026, but open until filled
About Tall Timbers
Tall Timbers is recognized as the home of the study of fire ecology and an advocate to protect the right to use prescribed fire for conservation. It is also recognized as one of the nation’s leading land trusts. Since 1958, Tall Timbers has been using prescribed fire science to solve land management problems. Our unique perspective is rooted in this long-term practice of working cooperatively with partners to conduct research and apply results on the land.
Position Summary
This term position will include improving upon previous outreach efforts and establish a successful Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) in the Wiregrass region of Southeast Alabama. Utilizing the PBA to conduct prescribed fires, hosting training and workshops, and working with partners to provide technical assistance will be key to seeing success in this region.
People from historically underrepresented populations and candidates with non-traditional career paths are especially encouraged to apply. Tall Timbers is an Equal Opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status.
Focus counties: Barbour, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike.
The specific duties of the position include:
Formalizes and acts as a full-time coordinator of the Wiregrass Prescribed Burn Association (name subject to change) at the behest of Tall Timbers and the Association.
Works closely with Board of the Association and other partners (to include Tall Timbers Geospatial Lab) to coordinate and ensure prioritization and safe execution of prescribed burns on private land within the Association.
Uses Burn Association to facilitate fire use, pool risk to create cost-effective insurance coverage and annually plan burns to mitigate smoke emissions and ameliorate limited workforce capacity.
Leads the effort to create communication and collaboration with private land participants within the Association through regular landowner site visits and facilitating quarterly outreach and/or training workshops.
Assists in reducing backlog of NRCS cost-share burn acres when and where feasible within Association in part through coordinating landowners with vendors and other burning options (such as burn teams).
Oversees local extension and outreach services to private landowners, agencies and public land managers through weekly landowner visits, quarterly workshops and participation in conferences and the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council meetings
Assists with burn implementation as needed as a team member with the Tall Timbers Department of Prescribed Fire Applications.
Seeks funding from agencies and landowners to support efforts and assists with land management through cooperation with other groups and agencies.
Host field days and workshops to demonstrate successes and provide hands-on training. Increase capacity of certified burn managers through facilitating certification training.
Participates with other Tall Timbers outreach and training staff to implement fire or assist in other fire related activities as needed.
Qualifications and Experience That Will Help You Succeed
Dynamic personality with a demonstrated ability to deliver high quality classroom and field instruction on topics such as fire behavior, operational safety, fire effects, smoke management, fire planning, and fire weather to diverse audiences.
High degree of interpersonal and communication skills, emotional and professional intelligence, self-motivation, creativity, organizational skills and a positive reputation within the fire and/or forestry community.
Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences such as, but not limited to, wildland fire, forestry and/or wildlife management.
At least 2 years of professional experience working in wildland fire or natural resource field.
Experience participating in and conducting prescribed burns is required.
Alabama Certified Prescribed Burn Manager is a plus.
ALSBRF RF, CWB, or CF is a plus.
Must reside in or adjacent to one of the PBA focus counties listed above.
Benefits: Tall Timbers provides a package of standard benefits including health care, dental care, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, and medical flexible spending account. These benefits are subject to employee contributions according to Tall Timbers’ policy. Vacation and Sick Leave: Up to 5 days of leave is available in your first year, following a 90-day probationary period. Employees accrue up to 10 days of annual leave for calendar year two, then 15 days in calendar years three and four, followed by 20 days at years five.
How to Apply: To apply to this position, submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you are the best applicant for the job to: Ryan Mitchell rmitchell@talltimbers.org on or before February 15, 2026. Questions to same.
